In January 2013 the NGO Finnwatch published a report entitled ‘Cheap Has a High Price’. This report documented alleged exploitation of migrant workers by the National Fruit Company in Thailand and made other claims of human rights abuses. Since the publication of the report, its chief author, British citizen Andrew Hall, is being sued for defamation by the company in question. He is being charged under Sections 90, 91, 236, 328 and 332 of the Thai Criminal Code, with Sections 3 and 4 of the Computer Crimes Act of 2007 also being invoked. If found guilty, Mr Hall could face up to 7 years in prison and fines in excess of USD 10 million.

Earlier last month, Mr Hall travelled to Thailand to face the charges. After pleading not guilty, he was detained before being released on bail. As part of the conditions for bail, Mr Hall’s passport has been confiscated and he is thus unable to leave the country for his usual residence in Myanmar.

1.​Is the High Representative aware of this particular case, and if so have any representations been made to the Thai authorities or their representatives in Brussels?

2.​In the eventuality of a guilty verdict, will the EEAS seek to assist in obtaining an appeal or a royal pardon?

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Bangkok South Criminal Court Conviction Appeals Ruling

Appeal Verdict to be IssuedMay 31st, 2018

Bangkok South Criminal Court will read the adjourned ruling of the Appeals Court on the appeal of Andy Hall and Natural Fruit against Andy Hall’s conviction and sentencing in a criminal defamation and computer crimes case filed against Hall by Natural Fruit Company Ltd. executives in response to the publication of the Finnwatch report in 2013. An arrest warrant has been issued for Hall to attend the verdict after he failed to attend the Court on the previous appointed verdict date on 24th April 2018

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Andy Hall has set up a YouCaring crowdfunding site to receive donations to fund his professional team of lawyers (and support other related case costs) to defend himself in the ongoing and unrelenting judicial harassment being waged against him by just a few irrational and vindictive companies in Thailand. See https://www.youcaring.com/andyhall-1151843 and you can donate there.